A face in the Crowd new guest,Anjali Balwal – an inspiration to anyone who’s ever doubted themselves! 💫 She told Tarana that her mission is to motivate every person who’s paused their dreams to believe again — because you can still do it! Representing New Zealand, Anjali was crowned 1st Runner-Up at Mrs India Worldwide in the Australia/NZ zone, a prestigious pageant by Hautmonde now in its 14th year. Held in Dubai from June 15–22, the contest featured 100 finalists selected from thousands of global applicants of Indian origin. Born in Jammu & Kashmir, Anjali grew up in Chandigarh (DAV College) and later moved to New Zealand to pursue her MBA at the University of Canterbury. She worked as a business manager before settling in Auckland, where she owned the fine-dining restaurant Wine Chambers on Shortland Street. There, she had the honour of hosting Helen Clark, Jacinda Ardern, and many other notable guests. Sadly, her business was impacted by COVID, but life had other plans. During a trip to India, a friend encouraged her to enter the pageant. Despite coming from a traditional Rajput family, her supportive husband stood by her, helping her take the leap. To her surprise, she was selected! After some ramp walk training, she flew to Dubai, where she was mentored by Lubna Adam and Kavita Kamble, and learned the art of stage presence. Along with 1st Runner-Up, she also bagged the Mrs. Iconic Eyes title! 👁️✨ Anjali now receives international opportunities and is focused on balancing her professional life and family, especially being a hands-on mum to her 8-year-old son. Her message is clear: “There’s nothing that can stop you if you truly want to do it.” 🌺 Wishing her all the best in her future endeavours!

What makes someone stand out in the crowd?
For Rahul Chopra, it wasn’t just talent — it was courage, connection, and community.

Born in India and brought to New Zealand as a young School student, Rahul’s story reflects the journey of countless migrants — a child adjusting to a new land, battling the pressure of fitting in, and slowly finding his space to belong.

But Rahul didn’t just adjust — he embraced every opportunity to give back. Over the years, he has worn many hats:
✅ A dedicated teacher, mentoring the next generation
✅ A passionate choreographer, expressing stories through dance
✅ A vibrant MC and event promoter, bringing people together
✅ A committed actor, sharing powerful stories on stage
✅ A powerful radio voice, inspiring the community at Radio Tarana
✅ And most importantly — a son, a husband, and a proud father balancing family with his purpose

What ties all these roles together?
His deep sense of community connection, his passion for youth empowerment, and a journey of personal spirituality — all shaping the choices he made and the legacy he’s building.

In this episode of A Face in the Crowd, we go beyond the spotlight to explore how a young migrant child became a face and voice that resonates across New Zealand’s South Asian community.
It’s a story of identity, resilience, service, and finding your voice in a crowd.

🎧 Catch this inspiring conversation — Streaming now on the ROVA App
🔴 Powered by Radio Tarana

Because every face in the crowd hides a story… and sometimes, that story inspires an entire community.

In this very first episode of A Face in the Crowd, RJ Neha Bhatia shares her deeply personal journey — how she came to New Zealand at just 16 with her family, facing a new world, unfamiliar people, and a culture that was both exciting and overwhelming.
She reflects on the emotional and practical challenges of adjusting to life in Aotearoa, and how—over time—those silent struggles helped shape her identity and voice on the radio.
Co-host RJ Sarkar Raj also opens up about his own struggles — arriving in New Zealand in his late 20s, navigating loneliness, visa stress, and cultural adjustment. He shares how the journey from that silent, uncertain Raj Srivastava to today’s confident "Sarkar Raj" was only made possible because of one person…👉 that version of himself who stood there, didn’t give up, and kept moving.
Together, they unpack the theme of this podcast:➡️ That behind every confident voice, there's a history of uncertainty.➡️ That people arrive here solo or with family, but they all go through the same journey — of struggle, settlement, and self-discovery.➡️ And that in this blend of cultures and challenges, some rise to become a face in the crowd.
🎧 This episode sets the tone for stories ahead — migrants, business owners, artists, students, and everyday fighters who turned their inner noise into real voices that shaped communities in New Zealand.
Powered by Radio Tarana | Streaming on the ROVA App